THE BUZZ IS BUILDING
“It’s going to be incredibly fun. The USA is a good team, and so are we. We are fully prepared for this match, and it will be an enjoyable game. That’s why we’re here – to play matches like these, so it should be fun,” said Lucas Raymond to SVT.
“It’s like a Game 7, you know? The winner moves on. These players understand that. They’ve played in many different situations before that are very similar to this,” USA coach Mike Sullivan told NHL.com.
HOW IT COULD PLAY OUT
Alongside Canada, the United States entered the tournament as a strong favorite to win gold. Now, they face that pressure, and it’s no easy task. The American squad hasn’t quite found its rhythm yet, despite navigating the group stage undefeated. However, they’ve shown improvement and will aim to establish their dominance from the opening period.
Sweden must be ready to respond with equal intensity and a well-defined strategy. A highly entertaining and closely contested quarterfinal matchup is anticipated at Santagiulia Arena in Milan. Tre Kronor will also need to elevate their game to another level, as they haven’t fully clicked as a team. Heading into the game, it’s a very open contest. Can the Swedish team reach together when it matters most and upset the USA? If so, Sweden could take a significant step closer to the coveted Olympic gold medal.
